She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 118

Incredibly Nervous

Curiosity about her past grew slowly, but Sierra resolved to remain patient.

Let us ask once Sister recovers her health—whether she wrote that letter or not.

At least until Amille recovered her health.

If she had not written that letter, the situation would have turned horrifying, but they dealt with the Crown Prince regardless. Since time had even turned back, ignoring a mystery or two caused no harm.

After all, Hanael remained at her side, along with Amille and Cassius; everything progressed perfectly. Satisfying minor curiosity could wait a little longer.

Time passed as Sierra and Hanael checked daily on Amille's progress.

Fortunately, once the Crown Prince—the source of the brainwashing magic—died, Amille broke entirely free from the spell. Thanks to the doctors' devoted care, she transformed from a starved, gaunt shell back to recovering her health.

However, because the brainwashing lasted so long, the doctors couldn't guarantee Amille escaped the spell's grip completely.

The doctors shared Amille's examination results with Sierra. They explained that because lingering traces of brainwashing magic might remain in her body, they needed to finalize thorough testing before allowing daily visits.

I want to see my sister soon.

Although the word "sister" followed "I want to see," Sierra longed to see another person: Cassius. A considerable amount of time had passed since she last saw him.

During that interval, Cassius remained overwhelmed with work. Handling the Crown Prince's disposition required him to attend dozens of official assemblies. Ezel and Abel assisted him, focusing their efforts on hunting down the Crown Prince's loyalists.

What will become of us now?

Sierra discovered that Hanael was her daughter, yet nothing clearly defined her relationship with Cassius.

We are courting now, but marriage is.......

She knew asking such an embarrassing question right now was inappropriate. Cassius still faced a mountain of work. Demanding he pay attention to her feelings while dangerous remnants of the Crown Prince's faction remained unpurged would be foolish.

---

The day after hanging the Crown Prince's corpse upon the castle walls and executing his loyalists, Sierra enjoyed tea time in the outdoor garden of the Duke's estate alongside the Head Maid and other servants. Their conversation drifted between Amille's current recovery and how far Hanael's genius had developed.

After exchanging a few words, Sierra lazily sipped rose-scented black tea when a knight abruptly appeared in the garden. Dressed in heavy armor out of place in the peaceful garden, the knight handed Sierra an invitation stamped with Duke Ideos' seal before vanishing. She opened the small invitation, puzzled.

Is the sender Cassius? We live in the same estate; why send an invitation......?

⌈Can you board the carriage I send and arrive by 2 PM tomorrow?⌋

Tomorrow at 2 PM?

Sierra could manage that easily. Yet sending a carriage out of nowhere felt strange.

She offered a quiet smile while examining the neat handwriting and his signature on the card. Unlike his usual script, the cursive lettering revealed a subtle tremor and nervousness. Beyond that, guessing his underlying reason for sending the letter proved difficult.

It is as if he was nervous.

The thought made Sierra chuckle. Nonsense. What could make him nervous about writing a letter to her?

[Lexel] "Lady Sierra, what happened? You are smiling so brightly."

Was I smiling?

She tried to press her lips flat while staring at the Head Maid, feeling caught off guard.

[Sierra] "Ah, Cassius....... That is, His Grace sent me a letter."

The Head Maid tilted her head in confusion.

[Lexel] "A letter?"

[Sierra] "Yes. He wants us to meet outside tomorrow at 2 PM......"

Uncertain about the situation, she let her voice trail off. However, the maids clearly held a different perspective. At her words, their faces lit up with excitement, looking as energized as if they had eaten rare wild ginseng. In fact, Sierra was the one who felt confused.

What is with those expressions?

Sierra tilted her head while watching the maids suddenly flutter around. Excitement consumed them, especially the Head Maid.......

[Lexel] "Then we must prepare a dress for tomorrow!"

[Sierra] "I suppose...... so?"

Although the maids always showed excitement whenever Sierra met Cassius, their cheeks had never flushed this red. The maids had already slipped into a world of their own around Sierra.

[Maid] "Should we choose white?"

[Maid] "Your skin is so fair and beautiful that every dress will suit you perfectly."

[Maid] "Ivory with a pink tint would also look lovely."

[Maid] "Ah, wearing an ivory outfit will make you look like a fresh flower!"

[Maid] "For jewelry, bright peridot would match your eyes beautifully. Or perhaps sapphires?"

[Maid] "Hmm, shall we go with pink lace gloves?"

What on earth was happening? Every maid bickered in excitement over Sierra's attire! Naturally, the Head Maid—commanding the operation—wore the widest grin of all.

Watching the blooming smile on the Head Maid's face, Sierra spoke cautiously.

[Sierra] "Did something good happen?"

[Lexel] "Hehe. Something good? Of course."

[Sierra] "What is it?"

As the Head Maid chuckled softly, Sierra stared at her in confusion.

Looking at Sierra with warmth, the Head Maid whispered.

[Lexel] "Lord Cassius asked you out on a formal date."

She is right...… It really is a date!

Hearing the realization voiced aloud brought fresh embarrassment. Watching the blush on Sierra's cheeks, the Head Maid smiled with satisfaction. Giggles erupted from the surrounding maids while Sierra turned red as a beet.

[Sierra] "Th-That is true. A date......"

Complex emotions mixed—feeling slightly overwhelmed while also wishing to dress up even prettier. Sierra spoke with a trembling voice.

[Sierra] "I will choose the dress myself today."

Because this day held special meaning in its own way.......

Hearing Sierra's trembling voice, the maids nodded vigorously with even warmer smiles. But right at that moment, firm footsteps approached from a distance. The elegant gait belonged to—

[G. Madam] "I shall give you the jewels to wear tomorrow."

Preoccupied with chatter, neither Sierra nor the maids heard the Grand Madam approach. As Sierra and the maids quickly stood at attention, the Grand Madam waved a hand.

[G. Madam] "Sit."

[Sierra] "Yes, Grand Madam."

Naturally seating herself across from Sierra, the Grand Madam placed her hand on the table. She held her wrinkled hand closed, concealing something inside her palm.

[G. Madam] "Wear these earrings tomorrow."

Showing subtle nervousness, she handed Sierra a pair of large ruby earrings. Vivid red brilliance caught Sierra's eyes, proving the gems were far from ordinary quality.

This is excessive....…

Yet refusing a gift from an elder lacked etiquette. Sierra prepared to express her gratitude cautiously.

[G. Madam] "This is an heirloom handed down through generations to the mistress of our house."

[Sierra] "......Pardon?"

Not merely ruby earrings, but an actual family heirloom. That felt far too grand.

Seeing Sierra turn pale, the Grand Madam spoke gently.

[G. Madam] "Don't feel burdened. I watched for the right moment to give these to you from the very start. Even if you don't marry Cassius, the owner of these earrings is you."

Placing the ruby earrings into Sierra's hand, she whispered affectionately.

[G. Madam] "This expresses my gratitude to you for coming here and enduring everything."

Gently taking Sierra's hand resting on the table, the Grand Madam smiled, wrinkles softening around her eyes. Sierra opened her mouth to offer sincere thanks.

---

The following day at 2 PM.

The appointed time for her date with Cassius arrived.

Groomed immaculate from head to toe thanks to the maids' morning fuss, Sierra stepped down from the carriage Cassius sent. She found it slightly strange that he had not escorted her personally, but seeing the location made the reason clear.

Cassius summoned her to an old flower garden located on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. Tucked away from human touch, weeds occasionally sprouted, but a kind gardener nearby periodically restored its beauty.

Once, they had spent time together in this very place.

[Cassius] "Hello, Sierra."

He stood amidst the crisp, cool air. Jagged rose bushes and towering trees framed him like decorations. The scenery suited him remarkably well, bringing a faint smile to her lips.

[Sierra] "Hello."

As she took one step forward, Cassius closed the distance with two. Thanks to his long strides, the space between them narrowed quickly.

Tree shadows flickered across his face before fading away—a captivating sight.

Sierra stared at him, momentarily mesmerized. Though roughly two weeks had passed since they last met, His features grew sharper during that interval.

Recognizing her gaze scanning his face, Cassius briefly ran a hand over his dry face. Redness flushed his earlobes. Sierra broke eye contact and asked him.

[Sierra] "What is going on?"

True to her straightforward nature, her question cut straight to the point.

Staring at her with complete indulgence, Cassius asked out of nowhere.

[Cassius] "Do you remember this place?"

Sierra had never visited this garden before. That is...... in this current life. Yet what was this faint sense of déjà vu washing over her?

Sierra fell silent in thought. Looking back, this garden lingered within distant memories—specifically, memories from her previous life.

Staring at the beautifully blooming flower branches, she whispered.

[Sierra] "I...... remember. In the past, we...... used to meet here often."

[Cassius] "......You remember."

She nodded firmly while looking at him.

Memories remained with both Cassius and Sierra. How many times had the two of them dated in this garden back then? How deeply had they shared the same feelings?

Vivid memories flooded her mind—watering flowers together, kissing beneath flowering trees, and holding hands during gentle walks. If these moments came to mind immediately, she wondered about the scattered fragments of the past that remained unremembered. How much longer had they strolled through this place together, building precious memories?

Sentimentality took hold of Sierra as she looked around. Traces of their shared time, layer upon layer, filled this small flower garden. Looking down at the lush green grass, she let out a soft gasp.

[Sierra] "Ah, this......"

Within the patch of grass where her gaze settled, a small mark she left behind still existed. Pointing at the ground with a beaming smile, she spoke.

[Sierra] "Do you remember when I pulled up this grass, mistaking it for a weed?"

He also looked down at the grass, recalling that time.

[Cassius] "Yes. That plant never grows back once uprooted."

[Sierra] "That must be why it never grew back."

At her words, Cassius nodded slowly.

[Cassius] "......Yes."

He answered a beat late. After stealing several side glances at her face, Cassius suddenly fell quiet. He repeatedly bit his dry lips.

Yet his steps leading Sierra deeper into the garden remained resolute. She found the irony slightly strange, but chose not to voice it aloud, far too occupied reminiscing over memories.

[Sierra] "Do you remember this spot too?"

As she chuckled softly, Cassius smiled and nodded.

[Cassius] "Yes. We promised to plant a tree here to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary."

One by one, memories of the past resurfaced vividly.

[Sierra] "Let us renew our vows here in ten years, Cassius!"

[Cassius] "Yes, let us do that."

[Sierra] "By then, our baby will be born too, right?"

Yet they never renewed their vows, nor did they plant the tree. Beneath the rose bushes where they once stood together long ago, only weeds grew. Perhaps because they died before ever celebrating a tenth wedding anniversary.......

The moment Sierra recognized that reality, a heavy stillness settled over the atmosphere. She lowered her eyes quietly, mourning their past selves. But right at that moment—

[Cassius] "......Sierra."

He called her name.

[Sierra] "Yes?"

She answered, but Cassius couldn't continue his sentence. He took deep, repeated breaths.

[Sierra] "......What is it, silly?"

She offered a soft chuckle, trying to lighten the heavy mood. Yet Cassius wore a deeply nervous expression. Only then did she stare at him in confusion.

What could he possibly be preparing to say—calming his breath with such seriousness when he had shown no nervousness even before the Crown Prince?

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